It's been the warmest fall I can remember here in southwest Montana and the critters have been on the move. I've seen more animals in the past 3 
weeks than I can count. I've had some first, second, and even 3rd encounters. This morning on the way to work I ran into my second live Montana skunk near Chico. Luckly I was in the car and it was not. About two weeks ago I saw a large grizzly just outside of Gardiner and then about 4 miles south of Emigrant I ran into a cow Moose!
While fishing Siri and I discovered a rattler den. The den is close to the bridge on 89 near dome mountain and point of rocks. Be careful on warm afternoons because they like to sunbathe. They are right at the donated fishing access where the rock formation comes down to the river. We found about 7 adults out and about right at dusk two Saturdays ago. The following Saturday another adult was there as well and rattling! Last weekend while fishing at dusk near the Chicory access I had a large black bear come up behind me. I was catching whitefish and wasn't paying much attention when I caught him out of the corner of my eye. He didn't pay any attention to me however. I got back to the truck and watched him for about 15 minutes while he perused through the willows munching on something. Glad it wasn't me!
The highlight of critters was a Mountain Lion I saw just south of the Emigrant turn off on east river road. It ran right out in front of the car! What an experience! Wish you could have heard the phone messages I left just after it happened. Well, keep
your eyes peeled, especially if you go below the green boxes. There's been a big griz down there as well. Until then.
(the map is approximately where the lion was at)
Critters are coming out of the woodwork! Here's a photo of the black bear that came up on me near the Chicory access the other night. It was a good encounter and got my blood pumping!
